Letter: Support Public Safety and Racial Equity Goals in FY27 Budget

by The Community Safety and Social Justice Committee

The following memo was sent to the Town Council and Town Manager on November 18, 2025

The Community Safety and Social Justice Committee (CSSJC) reaffirms its support for including community safety and racial equity goals in the upcoming budget for FY27. 

First, continued financial support for the two departments—Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service (CRESS) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)— recommended by the Community Safety Working Group (CWSG) will be vital for their continuous success.

As CSSJC, we want to bring budget recommendations in line with the mandate for the departments envisioned by CSWG.  The CRESS Department has not been adequately resourced, and having two frozen positions for FY26 has further limited the potential for CRESS to make meaningful changes in the way the community addresses public safety. CSSJC is advocating for the posted “Program Manager” position to be absorbed into the operating budget once the grant ends in June 2026, so that leadership of the department expands to create scaffolded support for staff.  Additionally, CSSJC is imploring a staffing increase for the CRESS Department in the coming fiscal year, including unfreezing the two positions that are currently frozen and expanding staffing to provide 24/7 coverage. The original CSWG report outlined a robust staffing plan for the department, that should be revisited and sufficiently funded.

The DEI Department is understaffed with the amount of work it has been given, including staff trainings and community events.  The department could utilize additional administrative resources and operating budgets. While the Department has been creative in collaborating with UMass for part-time work study students, these students do not adequately offset the workload.  The CSSJC is encouraging a staffing increase to the DEI Department in the coming fiscal year.

Second, additional programs recommended by the CSWG will require fiscal support to come to fruition, including the Youth Empowerment Center, Multicultural Center, and Resident Oversight Board.

The BIPOC Youth Empowerment Center will be a crucial resource for the community. The incident from July 2022 (see also here) between youth and police, followed by the bullying of LGBTQIA+ youth at the middle school (see also here and here) , served as reminders that the youth in this community need a safe space where they can receive guidance, vocational, and recreational resources to promote pro-social activity. The Recreation Department, which currently runs some significant youth programs, depends on others to house their programs which having a Youth Empowerment Center would rectify.  ARPA funding [for this project] has been rolled over into free cash- the CSSJC implores that this $450,000 be utilized towards funding the ongoing operation of the center at the level recommended by the CSWG.

The Multicultural Center will be a unifying cultural resource and a step towards racial healing. There has been no official discussion about support for this recommendation. Support for such a center would demonstrate Amherst’s commitment to racial equity.  The CSSJC supports funding the center at the level recommended by the CSWG.

The Resident Oversight Board will play an integral role in public safety accountability, and components will require funding.  From the 7 Generations Movement Collective report: 

“The oversight board in Amherst will also need to be funded. The work of investigating policing and auditing the current policing system will take time and effort from both the community board members and the police. The voices of the community members above show the BIPOC community has not felt protected by the police in Amherst, but rather at risk in the presence of police. Without adequate funding of at least a yearly stipend $10,000 per member, an oversight board will not be sustainable. The board should also prioritize the BIPOC community for member positions and especially leadership roles, reflecting the composition of Pittsfield’s board, as previously discussed.”  

Consultants have presented two options for an oversight board, and Town Council has put a deadline of April 2026 on the GOL Committee to identify possible paths forward. The CSSJC advocates for the investigative model and would like to reiterate its support for including financial assistance for stipends for ROB [members] once it is established.

Finally, to increase inclusivity of marginalized community members in town government and committee work, the CSSJC recommends funding for interpreter services at municipal meetings.  While town departments have been utilizing [the transliation app] “Pocketalk” with some success, translation services is the next logical step in promoting language inclusivity. Additionally, to increase language diversity among town staff, Human Resources could consider the adoption of a bilingual differential for pay.

The Community Safety and Social Justice Committee